Funerals

This page gives general information about funerals at St. Joseph. If a loved one has died and you wish to arrange the funeral, please call the parish (717-246-3007) and we will meet with you as soon as possible.

When someone dies, how do I contact the parish?

Usually, when there is a death, the family will contact the funeral home of their choice, and the funeral home will then contact Fr. John. Of course, the family is free to contact Fr. Weiss directly by calling him at the parish office or by email.

Who should have a Catholic funeral?

All Catholics are urged to have a Catholic funeral. In the funeral and the events surrounding it, the Church prays for the person who has died and for those who are left behind. The funeral helps the family and friends come to terms with their loss and helps them in their grief. If the deceased was on his or her way to becoming Catholic, they should have a Catholic funeral. We can have a funeral for a child who died before baptism.

Can anyone be denied a Catholic funeral?

A Catholic funeral is for all Catholics. It is not a “good conduct badge” that is available only for those whose lives were exemplary. Only in rare circumstances, when it was clearly against the wishes of the person who died, or when a Catholic funeral would cause grave public scandal, might a Catholic funeral be denied. Fr. Weiss has never refused to hold a funeral for anyone. A person does not have to be registered in the parish, or have contributed to the parish, to have a Catholic funeral at St. Joseph. In some circumstances, a non-Catholic may have a Catholic funeral.

What happens at a Catholic funeral?

There are some variations. Some families want to have a brief prayer service at a funeral home the night before the funeral. During this time a priest or deacon will lead a brief prayer service with scripture readings, intercessions, and the opportunity for reflecting on the life of the deceased. Family and friends are often invited to participate by sharing stories of the deceased.

The funeral is either a Mass, in the Church, or a service. Most funerals that are not Masses are in the funeral home. In the Church, before the funeral Mass begins, there may be a viewing of the body or visitation in the vestibule of the Church, if the family wishes. A funeral Mass follows the same structure as a Sunday Mass, with some additions. At the funeral Mass, the coffin is blessed, and then covered with a white cloth to recall our baptism. In the case of cremation, the cremated remains are blessed. The prayers of the Mass pray for the dead, for those who mourn, and for all people. The scripture readings and the homily focus on the mystery of life and death and resurrection. Faithful Catholics may receive Holy Communion. Non‐Catholics and people who have been away from the practice of the Roman Catholic faith, or who are conscious of grave, unconfessed sin, are encouraged to spiritually unite with those who are receiving Holy Communion, but to refrain from receiving Communion themselves. Sometimes, a family member may say a few short words after Communion. If interment is at a local cemetery, the priest accompanies the family to the gravesite and prays prayers of blessing and intercession.

If the funeral is at a funeral home, there is no Mass. The ritual is focused on prayers for the dead and for mourners, reading Scripture, and a short homily. Some families choose this option, but it is less full and complete than having a funeral Mass. Either the priest or the deacon may preside at this service.

Does the Church allow cremation?

The Church prefers that the body be buried intact, in imitation of the burial of the Lord Jesus and in anticipation of the resurrection of the dead on the last day. This is what Catholics have always done. Cremation is allowed, however, but never encouraged. The prayers of the Funeral Mass are modified to reflect that it is the cremated remains, not the body, that is in the Church. When the body is cremated, the Church asks that the cremated remains remain together, not separated or scattered, and interred as is done with a body.

When can funerals be scheduled?

In general, funerals are usually on a weekday morning, most commonly at 10:00 AM. There is flexibility here, but funerals can never be held after noon on Saturday nor on Sunday. Scheduling always must take into account the family’s wishes, the availability of the Church, the priest’s schedule, the funeral home’s schedule, and the cemetery’s schedule.

How much does a Catholic funeral cost?

There is no fixed cost. The funeral director will usually suggest a gift for the priest, for the organist, the cantor (singer) and the altar servers. However, these are only suggested amounts, and they vary among funeral directors. At St. Joseph, we never ask about money at this difficult time. If a family can pay only a little, or nothing, their beloved still gets the same funeral service from us.

What funeral home should I use?

That is entirely up to you. We do suggest that if there is time, you talk to more than one funeral home, and go where you are most comfortable. Funeral homes must provide a list of services and fees, and these do vary among funeral homes.

Can I plan my funeral in advance?

Yes, this is a good idea. You can plan it with a funeral home, and you can plan the religious portion of it with us. Please make sure that your loved ones know your wishes.

What music is used at a Funeral Mass?

Again, some families have specific requests, and others leave it entirely up to the organist and cantor. Music at all Masses, including Funeral Masses, must be music of worship. The priest or deacon will help you to choose music if you wish. Among the most common hymns for funerals are: All Creatures of Our God and King, Amazing Grace; Ave Maria; Be Not Afraid; Blest Are They; Eye Has Not Seen; For All the Saints; Going Home; Hear I Am Lord; How Great Thou Art; I am the Bread of Life; I Have Loved You; The King of Love My Shepherd Is; Let There Be Peace on Earth; Morning Has Broken; On Eagles Wings; One Bread, One Body; Prayer of St. Francis; Shelter Me O God; Taste and See; We Have Been Told; We Remember; We Walk by Faith and You Are Mine.

What Scriptures are read at a funeral?

The family talks to the priest or deacon and together they choose the readings (or the deceased may have already chosen readings if they planned their own funeral in advance). Sometimes, families have definite ideas about what Scriptures should be read. Other families will choose to leave it up to the priest to choose one or all of the readings. Typically, there are one or two readings taken from the Old and New Testaments, a psalm that is sung, and a Gospel reading.

A baptized Catholic usually proclaims the first and second reading. A cantor usually proclaims the psalm and an ordained minister (priest or deacon) proclaims the Gospel. Because the purpose of reading from scripture is to provide comfort to mourners as well as speak of Christ’s own life and death, it is important that the person who proclaims the scriptures be comfortable speaking in public at a microphone and also able to maintain their composure. Within these guidelines, families may ask particular people to proclaim the first reading, the second reading, and the prayers of intercession.

The following are lists of Scriptures appropriate for use at Catholic funerals.

Old Testament

2 Maccabees 12:43-46 “…he made atonement for the dead…”

Job 19: 1, 23-27 “…I know that my vindicator lives….”

Wisdom 3:1-9 “…The souls of the just are in the hand of God…”

Wisdom 4:7-14 “The Righteous One, though he die early, shall be at rest…”

Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9 “…he will destroy death forever…”

Lamentations 3:17-26 “…My portion is the Lord, says my soul…”

Daniel 12:1-3 “…the wise shall shine brightly…”

New Testament

Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43 “Everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins” (Easter season)

Romans 5:1,5-11 “…We were reconciled to God through the death of his Son…”

Romans 5:17-21 “…through one righteous act acquittal and life came to all…”

Romans 6:3-9 “…if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall live with him…”

Romans 8:14-23 “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are Children of God”

Romans 8:31-35,37-39 “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Romans 14:7-9,10-12 “This is why Christ died and came to life”

1 Corinthians 15:20-28 “In Adam all die, so too if Christ shall all be brought to life.”

1 Corinthians 15:51-57 “Death where is your victory?”

2 Corinthians 4:14-5:1 “The one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us…”

2 Corinthians 5:1,6-10 “We would rather leave the body and go home…”

Philippians 3:20-21 “He will change our lowly body…”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “If we believe that Jesus died and rose…”

2 Timothy 2:8-13 “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead…”

1 John 3:1-2 “Beloved, we are God’s children now…”

1 John 3:14-16 “We know that we have passed from death to life…”

Revelation 14:13 “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord…” (Easter season)

Revelation 20:11-21:1 “I saw the dead, the great and the lowly, standing before the throne…” (Easter season)

Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7 “I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth…” (Easter season)